New Delhi: US President Joe Biden has condemned Putin's action on Ukraine on Thursday calling it 'unprovoked and unjustified attack' and warned of 'catastrophic loss of life and human suffering' after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation".
"President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring," said Biden, according to an AFP report.
On its part, Biden said the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. "The world will hold Russia accountable,” he added.
Biden will be meeting with G7 counterparts to discuss on further actions against Russia.
In a White House statement Biden said, “Tomorrow, I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our Allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security. We will also coordinate with our NATO Allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance."
In a televised address on early Thursday. Russia's President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” in eastern Ukrainian town. Meanwhile Putin also vowed to retaliate against those who interfere with the Russian-Ukraine operation, reported AFP.
Putin said this "special military operation" aimed at demilitarization and denazification. He also said that the move came in response to Ukrainian threats to pro-Russia cities. The Russian President announced military action in the Donbas area and urged Ukrainian forces to lay down their arms.
The announcement came just moments before the UN Security Council meeting to denounce the planned invasion of Ukraine.
“Stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance," said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as he made a personal appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his troops from entering Ukraine at an emergency Security Council meeting.
CNN reported that loud explosions were heard in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Kharkiv. A "steady stream of loud explosions" were heard in Kharkiv city.